Pippins Walk-Off Corvallis 4-3 in Home Opener
June 7, 2023 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
What. A. Game!
The Pippins scored three runs in ninth for a walk-off 4-3 win on a single by Gabe Villaflor on opening night at "The Orchard" against the defending champion Corvallis Knights.
It was the second time in three years that the Pippins have beaten Corvallis in the team's home opener, and this time in front of 2,267 rambunctious fans.
Yakima Valley went into the ninth trailing 3-1. Hank Dunn led the inning off with a hard-fought single after an eight-pitch at bat. Spencer Shipman, who entered the ninth hitless, followed by ripping a double down the left-field line. Corvallis had a chance to nab Dunn at third, but the throw just squeaked by Tyler Quinn at the bag.
After an RBI groundout by Mike Woodward that scored Dunn and sent Shipman to third, CJ Coyler drew a walk and promptly stole second. Tommy Eisenstat followed with a fly ball into deep right-center field to tie the game at 3.
That brought up Villaflor, who rapped a 1-1 pitch for the game-winning single.
Selah's Dylan Bishop started the game on the mound for Yakima Valley and did exactly what head coach Kyle Krustangel was looking for. Bishop logged a quality start, going five innings, giving up just two runs on four hits, and added four strikeouts as well.
Joey Harmon and Wyatt Adams then went the rest of the way, with the duo giving up just one unearned run through four combined innings. Adams earned the win.
The Pippins improved to 3-1 on the year after the win, knotted with the Knights, who slipped to 3-1 in the West Coast League South Division on the young season.
Game 2 of the series is tonight, with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. The teams wrap up the series Thursday with another 6:35 p.m. contest.
Tickets can be purchased at PippinsTickets.com or at the stadium box office.
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